RFU to undergo governance review after season of crisis

[Neils]

RFU to undergo governance review after season of crisis

RFU Council agrees review of governing body's decision-making structures after turbulent season of tackle-height furore and clubs going bust
By Charles Richardson, Rugby Reporter 17 July 2023 ? 5:29pm


The Rugby Football Union will undertake a review of its governance after one of the most turbulent seasons in English rugby history.

A governance and representation review was discussed and agreed by the RFU Council at its AGM on Monday, with a view to analysing the decision-making structures between the council and the board; as well as considering the relationships between its council, board and executive.

The council opted, however, against the appointment of an independent chair to lead the review, with either a past RFU president or ?distinguished member? to be appointed during August ahead of the review, the findings from which will be reported in Aug 2024. Any recommendations would also have to be approved by the council.

Once a chair is appointed, they, alongside the RFU?s council nominations committee, will appoint members to the review panel, which will include independent and rugby voices, and a game-wide consultation will then commence to assess whether the RFU?s governance is fit for the future.

Last season, three Premiership clubs fell into administration; the paltry funding for Championship sides has left a number of clubs ?on the brink? according to the league?s new chairman, Simon Halliday; and the grass-roots game led an open revolt against the RFU due to the governing body?s mishandled announcement of the new sternum tackle height in the community game.

Although regular reviews are a requirement of the RFU?s adherence to the UK Code for Sports Governance ? the last one took place six years ago, in 2017 ? the tackle-height furore from earlier this year has led to senior figures within the corridors of power at Twickenham debating whether its governance is fit for purpose.

Certainly, there is a desire for the RFU to engage better with the community game in England. Since an RFU council meeting in January, where a sudden announcement in the reduction of the tackle height to the ?waist? prompted open revolt in the grass-roots game, the governing body undertook extensive consultation on how to best define and implement the new law variation. The episode forced chief executive Bill Sweeney to apologise and acknowledge the RFU?s failures in engagement.

During the tackle-height episode, Staffordshire clubs led a backlash against the law change and mandated that their councillor, Michael Proctor, rescinded his vote to push through the trial. When the tackle-height reduction was discussed in January?s meeting, only 14 of 62 council members voted for an amendment to delay the voting in order to share the rationale more widely and consult with clubs.

Last month, former RFU president Jeff Blackett insisted exclusively to Telegraph Sport that the power of the RFU council should have greater influence over decisions, given that the governing body is a members? organisation. ?Council should have final sign off to the strategic plan and the executive staff should report back to council on that,? he said.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Sounds about right. Set up an internal review, staffed by worthies from with the RFU, or past such worthies. What could go wrong?

Just like the Police policing themselves? Ask the Met how well that went for them, and how well it is still going for them (or any other of the various forces now under the microscope of abject failure).

Which is a valid point. Who would YOU appoint? Have their been any success stories from within the world union that turned the game in their country around? I can think of plenty of countries where things are going barely any better than here in England.

I wonder how much the RFU will spend on this charade? I guess it would be best to hold the meetings somewhere like the Seychelles, yes?

[wycombewasp]

I think Will Carling would make a good job of it

[Neils]

Eddie Jones???

[WonkyWasp]

(Snigger)

[Brandnewtorugby]

So they decided on a process that creates opportunities to travel well and feel important. I wonder when they will conclude with actions that require people within to travel well and feel important.

[Heathen]

The council opted, however, against the appointment of an independent chair to lead the review,

This says everything.